EnglishAges 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Decode classical Greek and Latin numerical prefixes and roots across technical vocabulary. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
“phil-” · “philanthropy” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
2. What does the Greek prefix “hepta-” (or Latin “sept-”) mean in geometry: seven or nine?
“hepta-” · “sept-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
3. What does the Latin/Greek numerical prefix “uni-” or “mono-” (as in “unicycle” and “monochrome”) mean: one (single) or many?
“uni-” · “mono-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
4. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
“bi-” · “di-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
5. What does the Greek root “anthrop-” (as in “anthropology” and “philanthropy”) mean: human being or star?
“anthrop-” · “anthropology” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
6. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
“tri-” · “triangle” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
7. What does the prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?
“octa-” · “octo-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
8. What does the Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
“morph” · “metamorphosis” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
9. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
“hypo-” · “hypothermia” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
10. What does the Latin root “ver-” (as in “verify”, “verdict” and “veracity”) mean: truth or speed?
“ver-” · “verify” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
11. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
“penta-” · “pentagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
12. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
“-phobia” · “-phobic” · Classical prefixes & numbe…

12 questions · Seed 49 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
Loving / having an affinity for
Greek philos means loving or attracted to (hydrophilic = water-loving).
2. What does the Greek prefix “hepta-” (or Latin “sept-”) mean in geometry: seven or nine?
Seven
A heptagon is a seven-sided polygon.
3. What does the Latin/Greek numerical prefix “uni-” or “mono-” (as in “unicycle” and “monochrome”) mean: one (single) or many?
One (single)
Both Latin “uni-” and Greek “mono-” mean one or single.
4. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
Two
Latin “bi-” and Greek “di-” mean two.
5. What does the Greek root “anthrop-” (as in “anthropology” and “philanthropy”) mean: human being or star?
Human being
Greek anthropos means human being.
6. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
Three
“Tri-” comes from Latin and Greek words for three.
7. What does the prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?
Eight
“Octa-” / “octo-” means eight.
8. What does the Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
Form or shape
Greek morphe means form or shape.
9. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
Under / below normal
“Hypo-” is the antonym of “hyper-” and means under or below.
10. What does the Latin root “ver-” (as in “verify”, “verdict” and “veracity”) mean: truth or speed?
Truth
Latin verus means true; to verify is to establish the truth or accuracy of something.
11. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
Five
“Penta-” comes from the Greek pente, meaning five.
12. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
Fear of / repelled by
Greek phobos means fear or aversion (hydrophobic molecules repel water).

12 questions · Seed 49 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
“phil-” · “philanthropy” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
2. What does the Greek prefix “hepta-” (or Latin “sept-”) mean in geometry: seven or nine?
“hepta-” · “sept-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
3. What does the Latin/Greek numerical prefix “uni-” or “mono-” (as in “unicycle” and “monochrome”) mean: one (single) or many?
“uni-” · “mono-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
4. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
“bi-” · “di-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
5. What does the Greek root “anthrop-” (as in “anthropology” and “philanthropy”) mean: human being or star?
“anthrop-” · “anthropology” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
6. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
“tri-” · “triangle” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
7. What does the prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?
“octa-” · “octo-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
8. What does the Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
“morph” · “metamorphosis” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
9. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
“hypo-” · “hypothermia” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
10. What does the Latin root “ver-” (as in “verify”, “verdict” and “veracity”) mean: truth or speed?
“ver-” · “verify” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
11. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
“penta-” · “pentagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
12. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
“-phobia” · “-phobic” · Classical prefixes & numbe…

12 questions · Seed 49 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
Loving / having an affinity for
Greek philos means loving or attracted to (hydrophilic = water-loving).
2. What does the Greek prefix “hepta-” (or Latin “sept-”) mean in geometry: seven or nine?
Seven
A heptagon is a seven-sided polygon.
3. What does the Latin/Greek numerical prefix “uni-” or “mono-” (as in “unicycle” and “monochrome”) mean: one (single) or many?
One (single)
Both Latin “uni-” and Greek “mono-” mean one or single.
4. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
Two
Latin “bi-” and Greek “di-” mean two.
5. What does the Greek root “anthrop-” (as in “anthropology” and “philanthropy”) mean: human being or star?
Human being
Greek anthropos means human being.
6. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
Three
“Tri-” comes from Latin and Greek words for three.
7. What does the prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?
Eight
“Octa-” / “octo-” means eight.
8. What does the Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
Form or shape
Greek morphe means form or shape.
9. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
Under / below normal
“Hypo-” is the antonym of “hyper-” and means under or below.
10. What does the Latin root “ver-” (as in “verify”, “verdict” and “veracity”) mean: truth or speed?
Truth
Latin verus means true; to verify is to establish the truth or accuracy of something.
11. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
Five
“Penta-” comes from the Greek pente, meaning five.
12. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
Fear of / repelled by
Greek phobos means fear or aversion (hydrophobic molecules repel water).

12 questions · Seed 49 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification